Housing options for young people

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There is no official age when you can leave home. As long as you can show that you are living in accommodation which provides a safe environment (eg you are not at risk from drugs, prostitution or violence etc) and you have a stable respectable method of supporting yourself financially, there are no legal barriers to leaving home at 16 years or older.

If you are under 16, then there is a probability that your parents or guardians could get a court order to force you to return home or into care. If you are aged 17, then this is still possible, subject to all the surrounding circumstances.

Renting

This involves signing a tenancy agreement with a landlord for you to live in their property. You will normally pay a monthly fee plus a deposit. The deposit will be given back to you at the end of the tenancy if there has been no damage to the property.

If you're under 18, the law says you aren't allowed to hold a tenancy.

If you are looking for somewhere to live, check if any landlords are part of an accreditation scheme. These are voluntary schemes that landlords join to show that they provide good quality accommodation.

Buying a property

When you’re buying a property you will need to get a mortgage, which is a very large loan against the property. You will pay back the mortgage over several years. If you are under the age of 18, you will not be able to apply for a mortgage to buy accommodation. This is because you cannot own property in your own right although it may be held in trust for you until you come of age.